Our Disciplic Succession:
Srila Bhakti Nirmal Acharya Maharaj  Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj  Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj  Bhagavan Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur Prabhupad
"The Sun Never Sets on Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math":
Worldwide Affiliate Branches and Centres
 
ABOUT US GUIDANCE LIBRARY DAILY PRACTICE PHOTO CALENDAR CONTACT
 

MONTHLY ARCHIVE OF UPDATES

JANUARY 2023

 

Sun, 1 January 2023 (Tomorrow is Sri Putrada Ekadasi)

World of Uncertainty
"'I will practise spiritual life at the end of my life, but now I will enjoy family life at home.' Intelligent people will never say this. You can never say when one is going to die..."
Download / listen to the lecture (30.6 Mb, 64 min | 7 February 2020 | Bengali)

 

—{ "Sri Gurupadpadma's Worldwide Address" }—

Srila Lochan Das Thakur Mahasay
"Srila Lochan Das Thakur is a follower of Sriman Nityananda Prabhu—he belonged to His line. Srila Lochan Das Thakur was born in Burdwan district and he was a disciple of Sri Narahari Thakur. The name of Srila Lochan Das Thakur's father is Sri Kamalakar Das, and his mother's name is Sri Sadanandi..."
Download / listen to the audio (3.7 Mb, 9 min | 25 October 2020)

Mon, 2 January 2023 (Sri Putrada Ekadasi, tomorrow paran is at 6:23–9:55)

Inglorious Life
"It is necessary to do first of all that without which your life will pass in vain. If you do not do other things, there is no loss. Those who sacrifice their life for the service of the Lord are very fortunate, and their life is glorious."
Download / listen to the lecture (30.6 Mb, 64 min | 7 February 2020 | Bengali)

 


Today in the calendar: Gaura Ekadasi. Putrada Ekadasi. Appearance of Srila Jagadish Pandit.

His Divine Grace Om Vishnupad Srila B.N. Acharya Maharaj: "Even if you do not know anything about the Vaishnav mentioned in the calendar, you must still give them 'jay' on this day. We must always remember disappearance and appearance days of all Vaishnavs. If we can remember such personalities, such great souls, it will bring a great benefit to our spiritual life."

"We should always check the calendar, and when we see some dates mentioned there, even if we do not know anything about the Vaishnav or events mentioned there, we can at least give 'jay' to them—that also brings some good sukriti, some purification to us. Seeing the calendar and taking devotees' names early in the morning, from the beginning of the day, is very good for all devotees."

"Wake up, look into the calendar and give 'jay' to your Guru and Vaishnavs. Always pay obeisance to your Guru and Vaishnavs when you wake up in the morning, always give them 'jay'. Always keep faith and show respect to them. Always see the calendar—whose appearance day it is, whose disappearance day it is. Even if you cannot make a festival, at least you can give them 'jay', it will bring you benefit. When you give 'jay' to your Guru and Vaishnavs, it brings you sukriti. For example, today is the disappearance day of a Vaishnav—give 'jay' to him, remember him. We must always remember the words of Vaishnavs. If I remember the words of Vaishnavs, I get some benefit, some deposit through that."


 

About Sri Jagadish Pandit:

Sri Jagadish Pandit
"Born in Guwahati, Assam, Sri Jagadish Pandit came to live in Nabadwip. Sri Jagadish Pandit and Hiranya lived together on the bank of the Gages near Sri Jagannath Misra's house, and Mahaprabhu would often come to visit them."
Download / listen to the audio (4.5 Mb, 11 min | 24 January 2021)

"Jagadish Pandit was formerly a great dancer in Krishna-lila and was known as Chandrahasa. He belonged to the village of Yasada-gram, in the district of Nadia near the Chakadaha railway station. His father, the son of Bhatta Narayan, was named Kamalaksa. Both his father and mother were great devotees of Lord Visnu, and after their death, Jagadish, with his wife Duhkhini and brother Mahesa, left his birthplace and came to Sri Mayapur to live in the company of Jagannath Misra and other Vaisnavas. Lord Chaitanya asked Jagadish to go to Jagannath Puri to preach the Harinam sankirtan movement. After returning from Jagannath Puri, on the order of Lord Jagannath he established Deities of Jagannath in the village of Yasada-gram."

"Sri Jagadish is described in the Gaura-ganoddesa-dipika (192) as follows: 'Sri Jagadish and Hiranya previously appeared as the wives of the yajnic brahmans of Vraja. The Lord asked for the grains they offered to Vishnu on the day of Ekadasi. Chandrahasa, the expert dancer and knower of the mellows of Vraja, has now appeared as Sri Jagadish Pandit.' Sri Nityananda Prabhu with His associates are the life and wealth of the most effulgent Sri Jagadish Pandit."

Jagadish Pandit and Hiranya Pandit—lived in Godrumadwip. Their house was some distance from the Lord's house. On the day of Ekadasi they arranged a large offering for the Lord. The injunction for fasting on Ekadasi is meant only for the living entities, but Lord Vishnu is beyond the jurisdiction of the rules and regulations that He has established. Since He is not bound to observe fast on Ekadasi, and since He alone is the enjoyer of all sacrificial offerings, all types of foodstuffs should be offered to Him on Ekadasi. On the day of Ekadasi the Vaisnavs give up all kinds of enjoyment and do not accept the injunction for honoring prasada as on other days, but Lord Sri Hari, the protector of the devotees, accepts the foodstuffs offered by His devotees on His day, Hari-vasara. Sri Gaura-Narayan also revealed His desire to eat those foodstuffs.

(Sri Chaitanya-charitamrita, Sri Chaitanya-bhagavata)

 

No Other Shelter
"One time, when Nimai was three-four years old, He showed He was sick, and was crying so much. It was an Ekadasi day. His mother, Sachi Mata, asked Him, 'What has happened?' Nimai said, 'I want to go to Hiranya-Jagadish's house!'"
Download / listen to the audio (1.1 Mb, 3 min | 17 June 2001)

 

 


Sri Ekadasi Guidance
Guidelines on how to observe and honour this holy day: Ekadasi takes an indispensible part in the life of a sincere practitioner. At Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math, Ekadasi and paran are observed with affection and without fail according to the dates given in the Calendar.

"Sri Ekadasi" (Sri Sri Prema Vivarta)
"One day, Gaurahari left the Gundicha Temple and sat in the Jagannath Vallabha garden. It was pure Ekadasi, and the Lord spent the whole day and night chanting the Name of Krishna..."

SONG: Suddha-bhakata | শুদ্ধ ভকত-চরণ-রেণু
"I carefully observe the holy days related to Madhava, they are the mother of devotion."

SONG: Sri hari-vasare | শ্রীহরি-বাসরে হরি
"On the holy day of Sri Hari, Sriman Mahaprabhu, the life and soul of the universe, began dancing..."

ADDITIONAL READING:

"Observing Ekadasi"
"Ekadasi Vrata: Make Your Guru Happy"
"No Other Shelter"
"Mahadvadasi"
"Ekadasi and liberation"
"Ekadasi Tithi: One of the Practices"
"Yogini Ekadasi"
"Ekadasi: Historical Background"
"Ekadasi: Main Focus Is Service"
Ekadasi Struggle?
"Make the Teachings of Sri Guru Non-Different from Your Heart"
Ekadasi: Devotional Practice
Ekadasi Struggle?

 

"You do not need to know the meaning of each ekadasi tithi because if you know it, you will want to get this result, that result, etc."

(Srila B.N. Acharya Maharaj)

Tue, 3 January 2023

Life in Sadhu-Sanga
"If we practise sravan and kirtan in sadhu-sanga, if we hear Hari-katha from the holy mouth of Sri Guru and sadhus, we will get supreme benefit. If you do not have taste for hearing it, then discourses about the Lord will never enter your ears. It is necessary to hear about the Lord the whole day, twenty-four hours a day."
Download / listen to the lecture (23.5 Mb, 49 min | 7 February 2020 | Bengali)

 

—{ "Sri Gurupadpadma's Worldwide Address" }—

About Sri Sri Gaura-Gadadhar
"Know your place when you serve, do not cross the line. Sri Sri Gaura-Gadadhar are extremely high Deities. They are worshipped only in very rare places, that is because the relationship between Sri Gaura and Sri Gadai is a very confidential, very high."
Download / listen to the audio (4.6 Mb, 11 min | 25 October 2020)

Wed, 4 January 2023

Immerse Yourself in Kirtan
"The most important for us is Nama-sankirtan in sadhu-sanga: chanting the Holy Name in holy association. Even if you practise meditation or yoga, you will not feel as much joy as you can get by singing kirtans."
Download / listen to the lecture (23.5 Mb, 49 min | 7 February 2020 | Bengali)

 

—{ "Sri Gurupadpadma's Worldwide Address" }—

Fundamental Mood of Kirtan
"The perfect mood is humility, tolerance and giving honour to others. Chant the Holy Name without offence, try to engage yourself in the service of the mission, of your guru. Chant without offence, serve without offence, and you will succeed in your spiritual life."
Download / listen to the audio (2.5 Mb, 6 min | 25 October 2020)

Thu, 5 January 2023

Path to Promotion
"If you can get this job and can do it properly, then you will always be promoted, never demoted. If we can stay at the temple and practise Krishna consciousness, if we can serve Sri Guru and Vaishnavs, then all difficulties, pain, struggle and suffering will be nothing."
Download / listen to the lecture (23.5 Mb, 49 min | 7 February 2020 | Bengali)

 

—{ "Sri Gurupadpadma's Worldwide Address" }—

Sincere Ego-Free Relationship
"Everybody's focus must be one—everybody must think that we are all godbrothers and godsisters, and our main goal is to serve our Guru, to please our Guru. This is not a competition. This is not some fight. Do not become jealous. If envy comes to you, then you yourself will be getting pain from that—you yourself will be losing."
Download / listen to the audio (3.5 Mb, 9 min | 25 October 2020)

Fri, 6 January 2023

Service Is Not Formality
"The Lord is so merciful—He will never suck your blood. He does not want your blood. If you can give your heart and soul to the lotus feet of the Lord and His devotees, then you will get the highest benefit."
Download / listen to the lecture (23.5 Mb, 49 min | 7 February 2020 | Bengali)

 

—{ "Sri Gurupadpadma's Worldwide Address" }—

Nonsense Sacrifice
"People used to cut people's necks, and now in lieu of that, since it is not possible to kill people, they kill a buffalo... People cannot control their material desires, anger, and many other bad elements within. They will suffer in the age of Kali!"
Download / listen to the audio (2.7 Mb, 7 min | 25 October 2020)

 


Today in the calendar: Purnima. Pushyabhisheka Yatra of Sri Krishna. Disappearance of Sripad Bhakti Sharan Vaisnava Maharaj.

His Divine Grace Om Vishnupad Srila B.N. Acharya Maharaj: "Even if you do not know anything about the Vaishnav mentioned in the calendar, you must still give them 'jay' on this day. We must always remember disappearance and appearance days of all Vaishnavs. If we can remember such personalities, such great souls, it will bring a great benefit to our spiritual life."

"We should always check the calendar, and when we see some dates mentioned there, even if we do not know anything about the Vaishnav or events mentioned there, we can at least give 'jay' to them—that also brings some good sukriti, some purification to us. Seeing the calendar and taking devotees' names early in the morning, from the beginning of the day, is very good for all devotees."


 

Sat, 7 January 2023

Eternal Service Consciousness
"Service must be eternal. Just as we eat, sleep and go to the bathroom every day, we must similarly serve the Lord every day. It is necessary to think what is necessary for the Lord; you must think about the interest of the temple and Gurudev, then it will be service to Gurudev."
Download / listen to the lecture (23.5 Mb, 49 min | 7 February 2020 | Bengali)

 

—{ "Sri Gurupadpadma's Worldwide Address" }—

Our Main Problem
"Our main problem is that we are always busy with our body. Almost the entire world is always thinking about their temporary bodies. Such is our situation. Almost everybody here is very much attached to their body."
Download / listen to the audio (1.6 Mb, 4 min | 1 November 2020)

Sun, 8 January 2023

Giving and Taking Prasad
"We will not stay in this world for long. We have crossed innumerable lifetimes—even if we live for one hundred years, what is one hundred years compared to eternity? If you spend your time laughing and playing, gossiping and talking nonsense, then such a life is useless."
Download / listen to the lecture (23.5 Mb, 49 min | 7 February 2020 | Bengali)

 

—{ "Sri Gurupadpadma's Worldwide Address" }—

Search For Original Source
"We always want pleasure, happiness, love affection, but we will never get it from this material world. Our Gurudev has told us very clearly how we must practise, how we can attain our destination, where the source is and how to reach that kind of source. Those who can give proper attention to this, must succeed."
Download / listen to the audio (2.9 Mb, 7 min | 1 November 2020)

Mon, 9 January 2023

Control Your Urges
"Nobody prohibits you to sleep, but remember that the more you increase your sleep, food, fear and sex (ahara-nidra-bhaya-maithunam cha), the more it will increase. The more you eat, the more you will want to eat; and the less you eat, the less you will want to eat."
Download / listen to the lecture (23.5 Mb, 49 min | 7 February 2020 | Bengali)

 

—{ "Sri Gurupadpadma's Worldwide Address" }—

Vyasadev's Gift (1)
"When Gurudev was in Australia in 1992, he gave one lecture. I have got the Bengali translation of that lecture and was proof reading it today. It is a very nice lecture, I want to tell you about it."
Download / listen to the audio (3.5 Mb, 9 min | 1 November 2020)

Tue, 10 January 2023

Sinful Souls' Scrape
"Is there anyone as merciful as Nitai in this world? He rescues all the fallen, lowly souls like ourselves. We are stricken with so many faults and flaws. We live committing so many mistakes, amidst so many faults! How long we have been living committing mistakes, how many offences we have been committing birth after birth!"
Download / listen to the lecture (39.1 Mb, 82 min | 7 February 2020 | Bengali)

 

—{ "Sri Gurupadpadma's Worldwide Address" }—

Vyasadev's Gift (2)
"Who we are? What must we do? How can we get relief? This is all transcendental knowledge of atma-tattva. Those who do not see anything [who have no real, transcendental vision] ask so many questions, but we must understand what is the main purpose of this life. If you read Srimad Bhagavatam, you will understand it."
Download / listen to the audio (3.4 Mb, 8 min | 1 November 2020)

 


Today in the calendar: Krishna Tritiya. Appearance of Srila Gopal Bhatta Goswami Prabhu. Disappearance of Srila Ramachandra Kaviraj.

His Divine Grace Om Vishnupad Srila B.N. Acharya Maharaj: "Even if you do not know anything about the Vaishnav mentioned in the calendar, you must still give them 'jay' on this day. We must always remember disappearance and appearance days of all Vaishnavs. If we can remember such personalities, such great souls, it will bring a great benefit to our spiritual life."

"We should always check the calendar, and when we see some dates mentioned there, even if we do not know anything about the Vaishnav or events mentioned there, we can at least give 'jay' to them—that also brings some good sukriti, some purification to us. Seeing the calendar and taking devotees' names early in the morning, from the beginning of the day, is very good for all devotees."


 

In honour of Srila Gopal Bhatta Goswamipad:

Srila Gopal Bhatta Goswami's Miracle
"You have heard about the Deity of Sri Radha-Raman in Vrindavan. When Gopal Bhatta Goswami lived in Vrindavan, he every day worshipped twelve pieces of Govardhan sila..."
Download / listen to the audio (1 Mb, 3 min | 7 September 2013 | Bengali)

Strongest Faith (2) Gopal Bhatta Goswami
"You have eyes in your heart, and if you have such feeling towards the Deity in your heart and do your service with such faith, then you can easily see Krishna everywhere, hear Krishna-nama everywhere, nothing else besides Krishna-nama will enter your ears..."
Download / listen to the audio (1.3 Mb, 4 min | 10 March 2015)


Prayers to Sri Vaishnav Thakur:

SONG: Ei-bara karuna kara | এইবার করুণা কর
"O worshippable Vaisnava, be merciful to me this time. O saviour of the fallen, without you there is no one. In every birth I aspire for the dust of your feet."

SONG: Ohe Vaisnava Thakura | (ওহে) বৈষ্ণব ঠাকুর
"O worshippable Vaishnav, ocean of grace, be merciful to this servant. Give me the shade of your feet and purify me. I clasp your feet. You can give Krishna, you have that power. Calling, 'Krishna!' 'Krishna!', I run after you."

SONG: Ki-rupe paiba seva | কিরূপে পাইব সেবা
"I am so wicked, how will I ever get service? I do not have any attachment to Sri Guru and Vaishnavs! Prabhu, you see no fault in others, you are the saviour of the fallen. Please deliver Narottam this time!"

SONG: Dhana mora nityananda | ধন মোর নিত্যানন্দ
"The feet dust of the Vaishnavs is where I sport and take bath, Vaishnavs' name is the water oblation. My mind is intently fixed upon the remnants of Vaishnavs, and I am elated hearing the name of Vaishnavs."

 

In honour of Srila Ramachandra Kaviraj's disappearance:

Power of Good Association
"You must see the sadhu with your ears. Every day you sing, 'Ramachandra-sanga mage Narottama Dasa: Narottam Das prays for the association of Ramachandra Kaviraj.' What does this mean? Why does Narottam Das always ask for the association of Ramachandra?"
Download / listen to the audio (1 Mb, 3 min | 12 March 2017 | Gaura Purnima)

Wed, 11 January 2023

Two Unexpected Questions
In the middle of the class at the holy Sri Ekachakra Dham, on the holy appearance day of Lord Nityananda Prabhu, an elderly devotee suddenly gets up and ardently asks His Divine Grace...
Download / listen to the lecture (39.1 Mb, 82 min | 7 February 2020 | Bengali)

 

—{ "Sri Gurupadpadma's Worldwide Address" }—

Leave Questioning Mood
"I have told you—there is only one question, and the answer is also only one. Surrender to the Lord. Have full faith. Shyness, shame, fear—keep everything at the lotus feet of Lord Sri Krishna, Srimati Radharani, or Gurudev. Do not see things in the mundane, material way. You must see everything in the transcendental way."
Download / listen to the audio (1.4 Mb, 4 min | 1 November 2020)

 


Today in the calendar: Krishna Chaturthi. Disappearance of Sripad Yadavendu Bhakti Chandan.

His Divine Grace Om Vishnupad Srila B.N. Acharya Maharaj: "Even if you do not know anything about the Vaishnav mentioned in the calendar, you must still give them 'jay' on this day. We must always remember disappearance and appearance days of all Vaishnavs. If we can remember such personalities, such great souls, it will bring a great benefit to our spiritual life."

"We should always check the calendar, and when we see some dates mentioned there, even if we do not know anything about the Vaishnav or events mentioned there, we can at least give 'jay' to them—that also brings some good sukriti, some purification to us. Seeing the calendar and taking devotees' names early in the morning, from the beginning of the day, is very good for all devotees."


 

In honour of Sripad Yadavendu Bhakti Chandan:

Sripad Yadavendu Bhakti Chandan [GaudiyaDarshan.com]
"...He was a senior man, he was very experienced and honourable, but he treated me with humility and all his other good qualities. Later, I was his servant for one month in Vrindavan. Sometimes Srila Guru Maharaj told me, 'In the evening, give him a garland.' Guru Maharaj gave him the title 'Bhakti Chandan'."

In Remembrance of Sri Bhakti Chandan Prabhu [GaudiyaDarshan.com]
"Today, being separated from the direct affection of Srimat Yadavendu Bhakti Chandan Prabhu, we are bearing jewel-less hearts. Personally, I received so much of his auspicious association. When we have teeth, we do not understand their value. Today, if I could meet him again, then, just by getting a touch of his good association, I would attain even greater good fortune."

Thu, 12 January 2023

Do Not Lose This Pull
"I pray at the holy feet of Nityananda Prabhu that everyone may practise Krishna consciousness, so that you may feel this pull towards Nityananda Prabhu every day and that you may not fall into the bondage of the illusory environment once you return to your homes."
Download / listen to the lecture (39.1 Mb, 82 min | 7 February 2020 | Bengali)

 

—{ "Sri Gurupadpadma's Worldwide Address" }—

Fancy Living, Shallow Thinking
"People live like cats and dogs—they use their life for animal enjoyment and have no appreciation, no time to respect sadhus and to follow Krishna consciousness. All the great sadhus and all scriptures tell us about devotion to Lord Krishna, but we have no time to read about it—we always think about our body."
Download / listen to the audio (2.3 Mb, 6 min | 1 November 2020)

Fri, 13 January 2023

Great Mercy for Great Hearts
"You say all the time, 'Please give me mercy,' but these are just some words you learn by heart and keep repeating. 'Gurudev, please give me your mercy', 'Gurudev, please give me your mercy'—but do you really want mercy? Ask yourself this. Do you really want your Guru's blessing?"
Download / listen to the lecture (39.1 Mb, 82 min | 7 February 2020 | Bengali)

 


Today in the calendar: Krishna Sasthi. Disappearance of Srila Jayadev Goswami. Sriman Mahaprabhu leaves Nabadwip in the night to go to Katwa to take sannyas.

His Divine Grace Om Vishnupad Srila B.N. Acharya Maharaj: "Even if you do not know anything about the Vaishnav mentioned in the calendar, you must still give them 'jay' on this day. We must always remember disappearance and appearance days of all Vaishnavs. If we can remember such personalities, such great souls, it will bring a great benefit to our spiritual life."

"We should always check the calendar, and when we see some dates mentioned there, even if we do not know anything about the Vaishnav or events mentioned there, we can at least give 'jay' to them—that also brings some good sukriti, some purification to us. Seeing the calendar and taking devotees' names early in the morning, from the beginning of the day, is very good for all devotees."


 

In honour of Sriman Maharabhu's last day in Nabadwip:

In a lecture about Sriman Mahaprabhu's sannyas-lila, Srila Govinda Maharaj commented: "We have seen that Srila Guru Maharaj was always deeply intoxicated with Mahaprabhu’s sannyas-lila. He established as a rule in Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math that for the three days [after Mahaprabhu takes sannyas and leaves Nabadwip] the devotees will live very simply and eat only some rice and dalma (dal cooked with mixed vegetables)."

Heart-Breaking Decision
"Mahaprabhu's mother, Gadadhar, Brahmananda, Chandrasekhara, and Mukunda. Mahaprabhu told Nityananda Prabhu, 'Nobody except them knows about it.' Sri Sachi Mata cried so much and other devotees also tried to dissuade Mahaprabhu in so many ways..."
Download / listen to the audio (3.1 Mb, 8 min)

Srila Lochan Das Thakur Mahasay
"Srila Vrindavan Das Thakur did not write in Sri Chaitanya-bhagavata very clearly or broadly about the time prior to Sriman Mahaprabhu's taking sannyas, but in his Sri Chaitanya-mangal, Srila Lochan Das Thakur, for example, tells about the talk between Sriman Mahaprabhu and Vishnupriya Devi."
Download / listen to the audio (3.7 Mb, 9 min | 25 October 2020)

Vishnupriya Devi's Sacrifice
"We must remember in our life the sacrifice that Vishnupriya Devi made. This life is not for enjoyment, this life is for service. We should learn from the sacrifice of Vishnupriya Devi..."

"If You Love Me..."
"Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu said, 'You think I am going to take sannyas and go far away from Nabadwip, but this is not so. You are always with Me. If you love Me, if you have any love and affection for Me, then always think about Krishna, always chant Hare Krishna and tell others to chant it.'"
Download / listen to the audio (1.4 Mb, 4 min | 11 October 2020)

The Pain of Broken Hearts
"We always remember Srimati Radharani, Her associates and other Vraja gopis, but we forget about Nanda Maharaj and Mother Yasomati. It has come out of Radharani's mouth: 'We do not consider our heart's pain, but when we see Mother Yasoda's face and Mother Yasoda's situation without Your presence, our heart is breaking after breaking after breaking.' In Mahaprabhu's pastimes, we can see a similar situation."
Download / listen to the audio (9.2 Mb, 36 min | 14 June 2007)

Ditching the World
"We have come here by a great fortune. Not everybody can come here. We must take the dust of this place, we must take prasad at this place. Do you see our condition? We must cry, 'When will material attachment be removed from my heart? When will that happen?'"
Download / listen to the audio (5.2 Mb, 15 min | 29 January 2018 | Bengali)

 


 

According to solar calculation, it was on the day of Makara-sankranti, an auspicious conjunction of the stars, that Nimai Pandit went to Katwa to take sannyas, the renounced order of life. After this, He would become known as Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Just before this, He told only a few of His friends, including Nityananda Prabhu, Gadadhara Pandit, Mukunda, and others, "The time when I will accept the robe of renunciation is very near."

Just a few days before this, an opposition party had been raised against Nimai Pandit. Those who believed that material nature is the highest principle, and that consciousness is a product of matter, began to abuse Nimai Pandit. He thought, "I came to deliver the lowest of men, but if they commit offenses against Me, there will be not hope for their upliftment." Suddenly, He said, "I came with that medicine which gives the greatest relief, but now I find that their disease is rapidly growing worse and seems beyond treatment. It will take its own course towards doom. The patients are committing offenses by abusing their doctor. They are making arrangements to insult Me. They take it that I am a family man—their nephew. They take Me as one of them. I came with the best medicine for the present degraded age, but now I find that they are plotting against Me. Now they are doomed. At least I have to show them that I am not one of them." He thought, "I shall leave family life and take sannyas and wander from village to village, town to town, preaching the Holy Name of Krishna." That was His decision, and within a few days He went to take sannyas at Katwa from Kesav Bharati Maharaj.

Just the day before He left to take sannyas, from the afternoon until the evening, there was a spontaneous gathering of devotees in the home of Nimai Pandit. Every year in Bengal, that day was celebrated as Laksmi-puja, worship of the goddess of fortune, when special cakes are prepared and distributed. Nimai, knowing that early the next morning He would leave Navadwip to take sannyas, attracted His followers in such a way that almost every leading devotee came to see Him that evening.

They came with flower garlands and many other offerings to be presented to the Lord. Nimai accepted their garlands and then placed them on the necks of the devotees who gave them. Only four of His most intimate devotees knew He was leaving; the ordinary devotees did not know this would be His last night in Navadwip. With His own hands He garlanded the necks of His devotees and appealed to them, "Always chant the name of Krishna. Under no condition should you give up this krsna-nama. And don't do anything else. While working, eating, sleeping or walking, day or night—in whatever you do—continuously take the name of Krishna. Always talk about Krishna—nothing else. If you have any real attraction for Me, then don't do anything without chanting the name of Krishna.

"Cultivate Krishna consciousness. Krishna is the origin of us all. He is our father; we have come from Him. The son who shows no gratitude towards the father is sure to be punished birth after birth. Always chant these names of the Lord:

hare krsna hare krsna krsna krsna hare hare
hare rama hare rama rama rama hare hare

No other religious principle is required. Chant Hare Krishna. This is not an ordinary mantra, but this is the maha-mantra, the greatest of all the great mantras, the very essence of all the mantras known to the world. Only take to this, always. No other prescription is to be followed.

"Remember your Lord, your home. This is a foreign land; you have nothing to aspire after here. Try always to go back home, back to Godhead." In this way, the Lord spoke, and all His devotees intuitively came because it was Nimai Pandit's last night in Navadwip.

Late at night, one devotee named Kholaveca Sridhara arrived. He used to make trade on the plantain tree and its fruit. He would sell the fruit, ripe or green, and the big leaves which are used as plates. Sometimes Nimai would pay him less for his fruits than what they were worth, and sometimes He would snatch the best fruits from him. Sridhara came to see Him late at night to offer Him a choice lau (calabash/bottle gourd). And Nimai thought, "I have spent almost My whole life snatching so many things from him, and now, on this last night he has brought this wonderful lau. I can't resist." He asked Sacidevi, "Mother, Sridhara has given me this lau. Please think of how it can be prepared." At bedtime, someone came with some milk. Nimai said, "Mother, with this milk and this lau, please prepare some sweet-rice." So Sacidevi prepared some lau sweet-rice: lau boiled with milk, rice and sugar.

Late at night, at about three o' clock in the morning, Nimai went away.

From Golden Volcano of Divine Love

 

In honour of Sri Jayadev Goswami:

"When Laksman Sen was the king of Nadia, Jayadev Goswami was one of His subjects in Nabadwip. The wise Jayadev built a cottage on the bank of Ballal Dirghika and resided there with his wife Padmavati. While there, he wrote the Dasa-avatara-stotram, and this poem once came to the hand of Laksman Sen. The king read the poem with great joy and then asked, 'Who wrote this?' Govardhan Acharya said to the king, 'The great poet Jayadev wrote it.' The king asked, 'Where is this poet Jayadev?' Govardhan replied, 'He lives in Nabadwip.' Hearing this, the king secretly searched for Jayadev's home and then came there in the evening.

The king entered the cottage in the dress of a Vaisnava. He bowed to Jayadev and sat on one side. Jayadev understood that this man was the king and that he had come to him as a beggar in the dress of a Vaisnava. Within a short time, the king introduced himself and requested Jayadev to go to his palace. The wise Jayadev was extremely detached, and he did not agree to go to the home of any materialist. Jayadev, the great devotee of Krishna, then said, 'I will leave your province and go elsewhere. 'Association with materialists never results in good fortune, so I will cross the Ganga and go to Nilachal.' The king said, 'O master, listen to my words. Please do not ever leave Nabadwip. 'Please be merciful to me and act in such a way that your words will come true and my desire will also be fulfilled. On the other side of the Ganga, there is a beautiful place known as Champa Hatta. Please stay there for a couple of years. I will not go there according to my own desire; I will come to see your feet only when you desire it.' Hearing the words of the king, the great poet immediately replied in agreement. 'Although you are a materialist and this kingdom is yours, you are a devotee of Krishna and you have no material attachment. I called you a materialist to test you, but you heard this and tolerated it. I have now understood that you are a devotee of Krishna. You engage in material affairs but remain detached. I will stay in Champaka Hatta for some time. In secret, leaving your opulence behind, you may come to see me.'

"Through one of his ministers, the king happily had a house constructed in Champaka Hatta. The poet Jayadev stayed there for some time and served Sri Krishna according to the path of divine love. Padmavati Devi would bring loads of champak flowers, and Jayadev worshipped Krishna, the son of Nanda, with them. Jayadev offered worship with intense love, and eventually he saw Sri Krishna appear before him in a form the colour of a champak flower. The Lord's beautiful, golden lustre was completely enchanting, and His extremely beautiful face belittled millions of moons. He had wavy hair, long arms, and a beautiful flower garland around His neck. His body illumined the thatched hut of Jayadev. Seeing the form of Gauranga, Jayadev, the best of poets, fainted in divine love as tears streamed from his eyes. Seeing the Lord's form, Padmavati Devi fainted and fell to the ground.

"The Lord raised them both with His lotus hands and then mercifully spoke nectarean words. 'You are both My highly exalted devotees, and I desired to reveal Myself to you. Very soon I will take birth from the womb of Sachi Devi in Nadia. With all the devotees of all My previous Avatars, I will distribute the wealth of divine love through Sri Krishna-kirtan. At the age of twenty-four, I will take sannyas and then reside in Nilachal. There, immersed in intense divine love, I will deeply relish your Sri Gita-govinda with My devotees. I am telling you the truth: your Gita-govinda is extremely dear to Me. Nabadwip Dham is spiritual and supreme; I promise you that you will come here after leaving your body. For now, you two will go to Nilachal. Serve Jagannath there, and you will attain the fruit of divine love.'

Saying this, Gaurachandra disappeared. In separation from the Lord, Jayadev and Padmavati fainted. Regaining consciousness, they began to cry profusely. Crying and crying, they offered prayers. 'Alas! What a form we have seen! How will we now live in separation from Him? Why did the Lord order us to leave Nadia? We understand that we must have made some offence here. Nabadwip Dham is spiritual and supreme, and our hearts are dismayed at the thought of leaving. It would be better to become an animal or bird and remain here forever, meditating on the Dham. We can give up our lives, but we cannot give up the Dham—our attachment is so intense. O Lord! Sri Gauranga! Be merciful and keep us here at Your holy feet.' While speaking in this way, they cried aloud, and then they heard a divine voice. 'Go to Nilachal, and do not be sad or unsteady at heart. I will tell you two things. Some time ago, you both desired to stay in Nilachal for a few days. Jagannath has fulfilled this desire of yours, and He wants to see you. You two will please Jagannath, again leave your bodies, and then reside in Nabadwip eternally.'

Upon hearing the divine voice, Jayadev and Padmavati immediately left, and after some time, they turned and looked back at Nabadwip. They wept, and tears streamed from their eyes. Humbly, they spoke to the residents of Nabadwip. 'Please be merciful to these two souls. Please forgive us for the offences we have committed.' They walked away, looking back again and again at the eight-petalled lotus of Nabadwip. They went ahead and eventually did not see Nabadwip anymore. Crying, they crossed outside the land of Gauda. Some time later, they arrived in Nilachal and saw Jagannath with cheerful hearts. Glory to the poet Jayadev! Glory to Padmavati! Glory to Sri Gita-govinda! Glory to love for Krishna!"

(Sri Nabadwip Dham Mahatmya, chapter 11)

Sat, 14 January 2023

Kali-Yuga Servants
"When we do service, we do not think it is service—we do it as a duty. We always think about our own happiness. We do not do service; instead, we dump work on our Gurudev, expecting him to do it, because we do not have the qualification to do service. This is our situation in this Age of Kali."
Download / listen to the lecture (39.1 Mb, 82 min | 7 February 2020 | Bengali)

 


Today in the calendar: Mahaprabhu walks to Keshav Bharati's ashram and attempts to take sannyas; devotees raise a ruckus at the ashram of Keshav Bharati.


 

Today's events:

Clearing the Obstacles
"When Mahaprabhu left His family, do you know who came at that time? Kalanidra. Kalanidra came to the Lord and asked, 'Prabhu, I have come. Why did You call me? What is my duty?' Mahaprabhu told her, 'Now do your duty.'"
Download / listen to the audio (1.5 Mb, 5 min | 12 December 2010)

 

Late at night, at about three o' clock in the morning, Nimai went away. He left Visnupriya Devi asleep in bed. His mother Sacidevi, sensing what was to come, was staying awake all night guarding the door. Nimai bowed down to her and went away. And like a stone figure, Mother Sacidevi sat there by the gate as Nimai left. She could not say anything, but was struck dumb.

A little after three o'clock in the morning, Nimai swam across the Ganges and in His wet cloth went straight to Katwa, a distance of twenty-five miles. He reached there by nine or ten o'clock. There, He approached Kesav Bharati to take sannyas.

In the early morning, the devotees came to see Nimai and found Sacidevi like a statue, sitting at the door. The door was open. Everything was empty. "What's the matter Sachi Devi?" they asked. She told them, "Oh, I was waiting for you devotees. You take possession of the house. I shall go somewhere else. I can't enter this house any more. You are His associates; you are the true heirs. Take possession." They began to throng around her and console her. "You will go? What about the young wife He left? The girl is only fourteen years old. Who will protect her? You can't shun the responsibility given to you. It is on your shoulders." In this way they came and consoled her and tried to give her some hope.

Suddenly the devotees heard that Nimai Pandit, Sri Gauranga, had left Navadwip. They learned that He had gone to Katwa, to Kesav Bharati's asrama to take sannyas, bidding goodbye to the people of Navadwip forever.

A dark shadow came down. Many began to weep and cry for Him. Many of them ran towards Katwa. Nimai Pandit was an unprecedented scholar with beautiful features—tall, fair, and benevolent. He had already made the people mad with the Holy Name of Krishna. He had released the two great sinners Jagai and Madhai from their nasty life. He had checked the Mohammedan ruler, the Kazi, who had broken the mrdanga drum. As a famous Pandit, he had defeated many scholars who came to conquer Navadwip, which was very much renowned for its high culture of learning, especially of logic.

At that time in Navadwip, logic (nyaya), worship of material energy (tantra), and official Hinduism (smrti), were in high culture. Navadwip was highly renowned for scholarship. If Pandits could not defeat the scholars of Navadwip, they could not become famous. From far away in Kashmir, Kesav Kasmiri had to come to Navadwip to get a certificate that he was a Pandit. And he was defeated by Nimai Pandit. Kesav Kasmiri was such a big Pandit that it was rumored he was the favorite child of Saraswati, the goddess of learning. No one could face him. Still, he was defeated by Nimai Pandit.

But Nimai Pandit left Navadwip forever and took sannyas because the people of Navadwip could not appreciate Him. He reached Katwa, where, just on the banks of the Ganges, there was a sannyasi named Kesav Bharati. Nimai went to him and asked him for sannyas. Kesav Bharati suddenly found that his asrama was full of luster. At first, it seemed as if the sun was rising before him; then he saw that it was a bright person approaching. He rose from his seat, and with strained eyes approached in wonder. "What is this?" he thought.

Then he realized that the great devotee-scholar, Nimai Pandit, had come. He appeared before him saying, "I want to take sannyas from you." But Kesav Bharati could not accept Nimai's offer. "I am charmed by Your beauty and personality," he said. "But You are so young, only twenty-four years old. What about Your mother, Your wife, and Your guardians? Without consulting with them, I cannot venture to give You the robe of renunciation."

In the meantime, as it was Makar Sankranti, a famous holiday, many people had come to take bath in the holy waters of the Ganges. They gathered there and the rumor spread like fire: "Nimai Pandit of Navadwip has come to take sannyas." Many men flocked there, until a huge crowd gathered.

They all opposed Mahaprabhu's sannyas. Some of them raised their voices in protest: "You—Kesav Bharati! We won't allow you to give sannyas to this young man. He has a family, his mother and wife. We won't allow it. If you give sannyas to this charming, young, beautiful boy, we will break down your asrama immediately. It can't be!"

But Nimai Pandit kept pressing for sannyas. At last, Kesav Bharati asked him, "So, you are that Nimai Pandit about whom we have heard so much? Many big scholars came to conquer Navadwip, the famous seat of learning, and You have defeated them all. Are You that Nimai Pandit?" "Yes," said Nimai. Kesav Bharati told him, "I can give You sannyas, but You must take the permission of Your mother—otherwise I won't, I can't do it." Nimai suddenly began running towards Navadwip to ask permission, but Kesav Bharati thought, "He has such a commanding personality, He can do anything."

Nimai was called back. Kesav Bharati told him, "With Your most extraordinary personality You can do anything. You will go there, charm Your guardians, get permission, and return. Nothing is impossible for You."

The ordinary public was very much enraged, saying to Kesav Bharati, "We can't allow you, Swamiji, to give sannyas to this young boy. It is impossible! If you do, then we shall smash your ashram." Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu began performing kirtan, chanting Hare Krishna and dancing madly. And the angry mob grew, sometimes creating a disturbance. In this way the whole day passed with no decision. The night passed in sankirtan.

From Golden Volcano of Divine Love

Sun, 15 January 2023

Why Have You Come?
"You have come to Lord Nityananda Prabhu. I saw people coming to Nityananda Prabhu and throwing money at Him. Is this service, tell me? People also throw prasad, and it sometimes falls somebody's leg. People used to often do this before. Do you know why?"
Download / listen to the lecture (39.1 Mb, 82 min | 7 February 2020 | Bengali)

 


Today in the calendar: Krishna Astami. Remembrance of Sriman Mahaprabhu's sannyas-lila. Disappearance of Srila Lochan Das Thakur.

His Divine Grace Om Vishnupad Srila B.N. Acharya Maharaj: "Even if you do not know anything about the Vaishnav mentioned in the calendar, you must still give them 'jay' on this day. We must always remember disappearance and appearance days of all Vaishnavs. If we can remember such personalities, such great souls, it will bring a great benefit to our spiritual life."

"We should always check the calendar, and when we see some dates mentioned there, even if we do not know anything about the Vaishnav or events mentioned there, we can at least give 'jay' to them—that also brings some good sukriti, some purification to us. Seeing the calendar and taking devotees' names early in the morning, from the beginning of the day, is very good for all devotees."


 

Today's events:

Will-O'-the-Wisp of Worldly Wishes
"If you give Maya chance, then Maya will attack you. As soon as you get a weak spot, Maya will attack you. It does not matter whether you are young or old. If you try to control your elements, you can control them from a young age."
Download / listen to the audio (4.1 Mb, 10 min | 5 July 2020)

 

...The next day, Nimai's will prevailed, although there was still some opposition.

Nityananda Prabhu, along with Nimai's maternal uncle Candrasekhara, Mukunda Datta and Jagadananda Pandit, gradually arrived there. And that afternoon, the sannyas function began. Candrasekhara Acarya was asked to perform the ceremony on behalf of Nimai Pandit, who began to chant and dance and charm the audience.

laksa-locanasru-varsa-harsa-kesa-kartanam
koti-kantha-krsna-kirtanadhya-danda-dharanam
nyasi-vesa-sarva-desa-ha-hutasa-kastaram
prema-dhama-devam eva naumi gaura-sundaram

"While showers of tears fell from the eyes of millions, He delighted in having His beautiful hair shaved away. Millions of voices sang the glories of Krishna, as Sri Krishna Chaitanya accepted the staff of renunciation. From that time on, wherever He went, whoever saw Him in the dress of a sannyasi cried in grief. I sing the glories of that beautiful Golden God, the giver of divine love."

The scene was at Katwa. Four-hundred and seventy-four years ago, Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu took sannyas. He was young and beautiful, with a tall figure. He was only twenty-four and had beautiful curling hair. A barber was asked to shave Him, and approached Him, but then withdrew. The barber could not venture to touch Nimai's body. He began to cry. "How can I remove such beautiful hair from such a beautiful head?"

And so many others were also crying aloud, "What a horrible thing is being done here! Who is the creator of this sannyas? Who is so hard-hearted that he created the sannyas-asrama, where one must give up all that is near and dear and go from door to door, begging, leaving his own friends and relatives crying helplessly? What is this creation of the Supreme? Is it logical? Is it a happy thing? It is most cruel!"

Nimai Pandit was smiling. After the barber was ordered repeatedly, somehow he was forced to shave Nimai's head. At first, he could not venture to touch His hair, saying, "I can't touch Him." But at last, he had to do the service of shaving the beautiful, curling hair of the beautiful face of the twenty-four year old genius boy. He began with his shears. Some people could not stand the scene. Some even became mad. In the midst of the weeping, wailing, and crying of the threatening mob, it was done.

Nimai Pandit was senseless. After being only half-shaved, He stood up and began chanting in kirtana and dancing in ecstatic joy. After He was shaved, the barber promised, "I will never again shave anyone with this hand! I would rather live by begging. This is my last service as a barber." After this, that barber took up the occupation of a sweetmaker.

Ultimately Nimai's appeals pacified the mob, and a little before noon the inevitable gradually came: the sannyas function was performed. Chandrasekara Acharya, the maternal uncle of Nimai Pandit, was deputed to take charge of the rituals in the ceremony of sannyas. When the mantra was to be conferred, Nimai Pandit asked Kesav Bharati, "Is this the mantra you will give me? I heard it in a dream." He whispered the mantra in the ear of his guru who accepted, saying, "Yes, this is the mantra I shall give You." Then that mantra was given.

And the name of this sannyasi was not given in an ordinary way either. A most peculiar name came through Kesav Bharati: "Krishna Chaitanya." None of the ten names generally given to sannyasis was given to Nimai Pandit, but the name that was given to Him was Krishna Chaitanya. As soon as they heard that name, the mob began to cry, "Sri Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu ki jaya!" "All glories to Sri Krishna Chaitanya!"

The father of Srinivasa Acarya was a class-friend of Nimai Pandit. On his way to his father-in-law's house, he heard that Nimai Pandit had come to take sannyas. He ran there, and seeing everything, he became dumb—he was devastated and went half-mad. After that, nothing came from his mouth but "Chaitanya!" After he heard the name "Krishna Chaitanya," whatever anyone said to him, he would only say, "Chaitanya!" He became mad. After that, his name became Chaitanya dasa. His former name vanished, and everyone used to call him Chaitanya dasa. He could not stand the scene of Nimai Pandit's sannyas.

Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, newly dressed in red robes, embraced His guru, and both of them began to dance, chanting the name of Krishna. After some time, the meaning of the name was given. Kesav Bharati Maharaja said, "Sri Krishna Chaitanya means that You arouse Krishna consciousness throughout the entire world. You have descended to make all people Krishna conscious. So the most suitable name for You cannot but be Sri Krishna Chaitanya."

Mahaprabhu was very cheerful, thinking, "I am going to relieve so many souls from their eternal misery and affliction. I have promised to deliver the whole world from this ocean of misery and take them to the nectarine world, and now I am going to accept that task." He was cheerful, but everyone around Him was diving in the ocean of despair and sorrow.

Some scholars stress that Chaitanya Mahaprabhu took sannyas from Kesav Bharati, who was a mayavadi, an impersonalist. But although Kesav Bharati may have externally showed himself in that way, it is seen that by coming in connection with Mahaprabhu, he became a devotee. Otherwise, we may also think that he was a devotee who came in the garb of an impersonalist to help the preaching of Mahaprabhu by assisting Him with the social formality of taking sannyas. At that time, all over India, mayavadi sannyasis had greater recognition than Vaisnava sannyasis, and Kesav Bharati was already situated in that post. Mahaprabhu took the garb of a sannyasi from him for His own purpose, to help His preaching activity. All these things may be explained in different ways. In any case, after Mahaprabhu took sannyas, Kesav Bharati began to sing and dance with Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. He joined in sankirtana and was immediately converted.

In this way, the sannyas of Nimai Pandit took place. What is the meaning of His sannyas?....

From Golden Volcano of Divine Love

 

In honour of Srila Lochan Das Thakur:

About Srila Lochan Das Thakur
"We must pray to Vaishnav Thakur, 'Wherever you are, Prabhu, please bestow your mercy on this fallen and low soul so that I may live this life serving you.' Srila Lochan Das Thakur composed Sri Chaitanya-mangala that contains even more pastimes of the Lord than Sri Chaitanya-bhagavata..."
Download / listen to the audio (5 Mb, 12 min | 2 February 2021 | Bengali)

Srila Lochan Das Thakur Mahasay
"Srila Lochan Das Thakur is a follower of Sriman Nityananda Prabhu—he belonged to His line. Srila Lochan Das Thakur was born in Burdwan district and he was a disciple of Sri Narahari Thakur. The name of Srila Lochan Das Thakur's father is Sri Kamalakar Das, and his mother's name is Sri Sadanandi..."
Download / listen to the audio (3.7 Mb, 9 min | 25 October 2020)

SONG: Ei-bara karuna kara | এইবার করুণা কর
"O worshippable Vaisnava, be merciful to me this time. O saviour of the fallen, without you there is no one. In every birth I aspire for the dust of your feet."

SONG: Dhana mora nityananda | ধন মোর নিত্যানন্দ
"The feet dust of the Vaishnavs is where I sport and take bath, Vaishnavs' name is the water oblation. My mind is intently fixed upon the remnants of Vaishnavs, and I am elated hearing the name of Vaishnavs."

Composed by Srila Lochan Das Thakur:

SONG: Akrodha paramananda | অক্রোধ পরমানন্দ
"The anger-less, prideless, supremely joyful Nityananda Ray wanders throughout the towns. Going from door to door to the homes of the lowly and fallen souls, He distributes the Hare Krsna mahamantra."

SONG: Nitai gunamani amara | নিতাই গুণমণি আমার
"Nitai, the jewel of all good qualities, my Nitai, the jewel of all good qualities, brought a flood of divine love and inundated the earth. Lochan Das says, 'Anyone who did not serve Nitai knowingly committed suicide.'"

SONG: Parama karuna | পরম করুণ পহুঁ দুই জন
"Nitai and Gaurachandra are the two most merciful Lords, the crest-jewels of all Avatars, the only source of joy. 'Fallen into samsara, I never aspired for Their feet. Now Yamaraj subjects me to my karma,' says Lochan Das."

SONG: Ke yabi ke yabi bhai | কে যাবি কে যাবি ভাই
"The Lord's Names are the ferryboat, Sri Guru is the captain, and the outstretched arms in the sankirtan are the oars. All souls have been delivered by the winds of divine love, only Lochan Das has remained behind..."

 

vaisnavera guna-gana karile jivera trana
suniyachhi sadhu-guru-mukhe
"Singing the glories of the Vaishnavs rescues and protects the jiva soul. I heard this from the mouth of sadhus and my Guru."
"If we give some honour, give some glorification to the Vaishnavs, it is actually for our benefit. It is for our own benefit that we do some ceremonies, some festivals, glorifying the Vaishnavs. It is necessary for our spiritual life, and it is one of the bhaktyanga, one of the practising processes. That is why we make Vaishnavs' disappearance and appearance festivals."
(Srila B.N. Acharya Maharaj)

Mon, 16 January 2023 (Mahaprabhu roams Rarhdesh after taking sannyas)

Practise and Pray
"It is necessary to always maintain chastity. We must not go anywhere and everywhere. everyone has come with a return ticket and will jump back into the ocean of Maya again—drowning and struggling in that ocean, you will become busy with your lives. Leave this family of Maya and come to the family of Krishna."
Download / listen to the lecture (39.1 Mb, 82 min | 7 February 2020 | Bengali)

 

In memory of today's events related to Sriman Mahaprabhu's sannyas-lila:

Memorable Day In Bamunpara
"One morning Gurudev went to Bamunpara. Only Gurudev, his driver, me, and Gurudev's servant who cooked for him, went at that time. That day, Gurudev showed me that place in Bamunpara where Mahaprabhu passed after taking sannyas..."
Download / listen to the audio (1.7 Mb, 4 min)

Remembering Mahaprabhu's Sannyas-Lila
"Srila Param Guru Maharaj said that during this time Nabadwip was covered by thick clouds—there was no sun in the sky and everything was very dark. Even the sun too cried because the Lord had left Nabadwip. It was such a sad time, everybody felt very deep separation."
Download / listen to the audio (2.4 Mb, 6 min)

Ten Days in Shantipur
"...When Mahaprabhu came to Shantipur and the news about it spread everywhere, so many devotees started coming there—so many boats, full of people, came to Shantipur to see Mahaprabhu..."
Download / listen to the audio (2.2 Mb, 6 min)

Heart-Breaking Decision
"Mahaprabhu's mother, Gadadhar, Brahmananda, Chandrasekhara, and Mukunda. Mahaprabhu told Nityananda Prabhu, 'Nobody except them knows about it.' Sri Sachi Mata cried so much and other devotees also tried to dissuade Mahaprabhu in so many ways..."
Download / listen to the audio (3.1 Mb, 8 min)

Sannyas Lila: Roaming the Land
"Mahaprabhu would go in a zigzag way—sometimes He went to the East, sometimes to the West, and the devotees followed Him not knowing where He was going..."
Download / listen to the audio (7.5 Mb, 25 min)

 

Sri Nimai Sannyas (English, Bengali, an audio recording)
Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj's poem expressing the grief-stricken hearts of the residents of Nabadwip: "Vishvambhar, the son of Jagannath Mishra, who resides in Nabadwip, Sachi's Nimai, has taken sannyas. A tumult of cries filled the sky—Sachi's Nimai has taken sannyas!"

 

From Sri Sri Prema Dhama Deva Stotram:
laksa-lochanasru-varsa-harsa-kesa-kartanam
koti-kantha-krsna-kirtanadhya-danda-dharanam
nyasi-vesa-sarvadesa-ha-hutasa-kataram
prema-dhama-devam eva naumi gaura-sundaram

"Sri Gaurasundara departed from Nabadwip and went away to become a sannyasi (monk), leaving behind his family members and friends whose eyes were filled with tears. He accepted the staff and waterpot as his only possessions, the emblems of a renunciate. When his long hair was cut off and his head was shaved, thousands of voices sang the holy names. The devotee's eyes shed rivers of tears, since they knew he was going into the world and leaving them behind. From that time, whoever saw him in the red garments of a sannyasi cried out loud in grief. I sing with joy the unending glories of my sweet Lord, my golden Gaurasundara, the one and only divine abode of pure love."

Tue, 17 January 2023 (Mahaprabhu roams Rarhdesh for the second day after taking sannyas)

What Will Become of You?
"I am telling you today with folded palms: please think what will happen to you after you leave this body. What will become of you? What body will you get? Controlled by the greed of your tongues, you cannot take shelter at His holy feet."
Download / listen to the lecture (3.5 Mb, 8 min | 13 February 2020 | Bengali)

 

"Passing through the tract of land known as Rarhdesh, Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu recited the following verse in ecstasy:

etam sa asthaya paratma-nistham
adhyasitam purvatamair mahadbhih
aham tarisyami duranta-param
tamo mukundanghri-nisevayaiva

"Avanti Brahman said, 'I shall cross over the insurmountable ocean of nescience by being firmly fixed in the service of the lotus feet of Krishna. This was approved by the previous acharyas who were fixed in firm devotion to the Lord, Paramatma, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.'"

(Sri Chaitanya-charitamrita, 2.3.4-5)

Wed, 18 January 2023 (Mahaprabhu roams Rarhdesh for the third day before arriving in Shantipur; Sat-tila Ekadasi)

"Theirs Not to Reason Why"
"Why must we serve the Lord? What should be our motive? What will I get by serving Him? We always think of what we gain or lose by doing something. But Vaishnavs never think about themselves—they always think about the Lord, their Guru and other Vaishnavs..."
Download / listen to the audio (12.3 Mb, 26 min | 15 February 2020)

Part One of the recording (posted earlier):
My Question to You
"Once again, we have gathered here as each year. You have all assembled here—so many people listen to Hari-katha, listen to the message of the Lord. We have been practising hearing and chanting in the line of pure devotion for so many years, but...."
Download / listen to the audio (12.3 Mb, 26 min | 15 February 2020)

 

In memory of today's events related to Sriman Mahaprabhu's sannyas-lila:

Mahaprabhu's Stay in Shantipur
"Nityananda Prabhu understood devotees' feeling and somehow managed to take Mahaprabhu to Shantipur instead of taking Him straight to Vrindavan. In Shantipur, Mahaprabhu gave lecture, He sang and danced the whole day and night without stop..."
Download / listen to the audio (2.7 Mb, 8 min | 26 January 2018)

 


Sri Ekadasi Guidance
Guidelines on how to observe and honour this holy day: Ekadasi takes an indispensible part in the life of a sincere practitioner. At Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math, Ekadasi and paran are observed with affection and without fail according to the dates given in the Calendar.

"Sri Ekadasi" (Sri Sri Prema Vivarta)
"One day, Gaurahari left the Gundicha Temple and sat in the Jagannath Vallabha garden. It was pure Ekadasi, and the Lord spent the whole day and night chanting the Name of Krishna..."

SONG: Suddha-bhakata | শুদ্ধ ভকত-চরণ-রেণু
"I carefully observe the holy days related to Madhava, they are the mother of devotion."

SONG: Sri hari-vasare | শ্রীহরি-বাসরে হরি
"On the holy day of Sri Hari, Sriman Mahaprabhu, the life and soul of the universe, began dancing..."

ADDITIONAL READING:

"Observing Ekadasi"
"Ekadasi Vrata: Make Your Guru Happy"
"No Other Shelter"
"Mahadvadasi"
"Ekadasi and liberation"
"Ekadasi Tithi: One of the Practices"
"Yogini Ekadasi"
"Ekadasi: Historical Background"
"Ekadasi: Main Focus Is Service"
Ekadasi Struggle?
"Make the Teachings of Sri Guru Non-Different from Your Heart"
Ekadasi: Devotional Practice
Ekadasi Struggle?

 

"You do not need to know the meaning of each ekadasi tithi because if you know it, you will want to get this result, that result, etc."

(Srila B.N. Acharya Maharaj)

Thu, 19 January 2023

Move Forward
"If you go to primary school, it does not mean that you must stay there forever—you must progress to high school, then go to college and university. Similarly, you must move on in the line of devotion. You must progress to college and university. The problem is that you are not ready to give up small things to attain something big..."
Download / listen to the audio (12.3 Mb, 26 min | 15 February 2020)

 

—{ "Sri Gurupadpadma's Worldwide Address" }—

Service Hankering
"You can make your Guru happy even through some small service. The most important thing is that whatever service you do, you must do it with your heart. Whatever you do, do it properly. This is how you can make your Guru happy with your service."
Download / listen to the audio (3.5 Mb, 8 min | 1 November 2020)

 

Fri, 20 January 2023

Gift of Willpower
"If you have no desire, then nobody can force you and you can never accomplish anything. It is necessary to want to change. Attachment to meat and fish is not this kind of addiction that cannot be given up—if we want, we can leave it."
Download / listen to the audio (12.3 Mb, 26 min | 15 February 2020)

 

—{ "Sri Gurupadpadma's Worldwide Address" }—

Our Great Fortune
"Today is a very auspicious day because tomorrow is the appearance day of our Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math's Founder Acharya—our Param Gurudev, Om Vishnupad Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj. I am giving my full humble obeisance at the lotus feet of my beloved Gurudev, and our Param Gurudev...."
Download / listen to the audio (2.7 Mb, 7 min | 8 November 2020)

 

Sat, 21 January 2023

Ultimate Remedy
"I am asking you again and again: please come to this genuine path. Come truly, not to show anything to others. Mahaprabhu says, 'I have brought medicine to destroy illusion!' What is this medicine?"
Download / listen to the audio (12.3 Mb, 26 min | 15 February 2020)

 

—{ "Sri Gurupadpadma's Worldwide Address" }—

Srila Sridhar Maharaj: Appearance and Early Days
"The name of Srila Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj's father is Upendra Chandra Bhattacharya. His birthpalce is in Hapaniya. His mother's name was Sri Gauri Devi. By the will of the Lord, when Srila Sridhar Maharaj appeared, he was the eldest son. How did his parents get this kind of son? There is some history behind it."
Download / listen to the audio (2.8 Mb, 7 min | 8 November 2020)

 

Sun, 22 January 2023

Life Suffused with Kirtan
"If you chant kirtans all the time, eternally, then some feeling will awaken within your heart. What is the use chanting only once a year? If you think it is all right to do so, then you can also eat once a year only. Can you live if you eat only once a year? So, just as you eat every day, you must chant kirtan every day, eternally."
Download / listen to the audio (42 Mb, 87 min | 16 February 2020)

 

—{ "Sri Gurupadpadma's Worldwide Address" }—

Srila Sridhar Maharaj: Powerful Preaching
"When Srila Sridhar Maharaj left his house and joined Gaudiya Mission, Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Thakur was very pleased. Even before taking sannyas, Srila Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj was a great preacher. He was always very enthusiastic to preach."
Download / listen to the audio (4.3 Mb, 11 min | 8 November 2020)

 

 


Today in the calendar: Gaura Pratipad. Disappearance of Tridandi Swami Srimad Bhakti Gaurava Vaikhanas Maharaj. Disappearance of Sri Haripada Chaudhuri Das Adhikari.

His Divine Grace Om Vishnupad Srila B.N. Acharya Maharaj: "Even if you do not know anything about the Vaishnav mentioned in the calendar, you must still give them 'jay' on this day. We must always remember disappearance and appearance days of all Vaishnavs. If we can remember such personalities, such great souls, it will bring a great benefit to our spiritual life."

"We should always check the calendar, and when we see some dates mentioned there, even if we do not know anything about the Vaishnav or events mentioned there, we can at least give 'jay' to them—that also brings some good sukriti, some purification to us. Seeing the calendar and taking devotees' names early in the morning, from the beginning of the day, is very good for all devotees."


 

Mon, 23 January 2023

Listen with Your Heart
"Now please listen attentively, do not speak. Do not let your mind wander to other places and switch off your phones. Listen to Hari-katha for one hour. You have been chanting kirtans, and now you must listen attentively, with your mind and heart."
Download / listen to the audio (42 Mb, 87 min | 16 February 2020)

 

—{ "Sri Gurupadpadma's Worldwide Address" }—

"Service Is My Vow"
"Many people ask me, many people criticise me, but I am a fallen soul, I only know what Gurudev told me—he told me, 'Service is the vow, service is the life force, and service is the duty.' This is what I am following."
Download / listen to the audio (3.5 Mb, 9 min | 8 November 2020)

 


Today in the calendar: Gaura Dvitiya. Disappearance of Tridandi Swami Srimad Bhakti Sharan Shanta Maharaj (an acharya of Sri Gaudiya Math).

His Divine Grace Om Vishnupad Srila B.N. Acharya Maharaj: "Even if you do not know anything about the Vaishnav mentioned in the calendar, you must still give them 'jay' on this day. We must always remember disappearance and appearance days of all Vaishnavs. If we can remember such personalities, such great souls, it will bring a great benefit to our spiritual life."

"We should always check the calendar, and when we see some dates mentioned there, even if we do not know anything about the Vaishnav or events mentioned there, we can at least give 'jay' to them—that also brings some good sukriti, some purification to us. Seeing the calendar and taking devotees' names early in the morning, from the beginning of the day, is very good for all devotees."


Srila Gurudev's Pastimes (6)
"I remember Sripad Shanta Goswami Maharaj told a very nice story about a Guru and disciples. The situation is actually like that everywhere these days. All the disciples that there are now have enjoyment mood..."
Download / listen to the audio (1.8 Mb, 5 min | Bengali)

Tue, 24 January 2023

Internal and External Transformation
"Only taking initiation is not everything. It is necessary to please the Lord. What makes the Lord happy? 'I only took initiation, but I do not practise anything, I do not listen to what Gurudev says; I live as I please.' This is not right."
Download / listen to the audio (42 Mb, 87 min | 16 February 2020)

 

—{ "Sri Gurupadpadma's Worldwide Address" }—

Forgetting Yourself
"Give respect to everybody. Basically, tridandi sannyas means to be humble, tolerant, and give honour to others. However, I am bound to say that sometimes they take sannyas or saffron, and their ego becomes very big. They forget that they must serve more. It makes me very sad."
Download / listen to the audio (3.2 Mb, 8 min | 8 November 2020)

 

Wed, 25 January 2023

Create a Relationship
"We have so many friends, relatives, and we are busy trying to satisfy and please them—we keep connection with them, but we do not keep any connection with our Guru and Vaishnavs. You think you have taken initiation or make a programme once a year, and that is sufficient, but it is not so."
Download / listen to the audio (42 Mb, 87 min | 16 February 2020)

 

—{ "Sri Gurupadpadma's Worldwide Address" }—

Joy of Good Association
"I do not want to go preaching alone, when there are only two-three devotees. I always want devotees' association. 'Ekaki amara nahi paya bala hari-nama-sankirtane. When I am alone, I get no strength to chant.' Devotees' enthusiasm gives me inspiration."
Download / listen to the audio (5.2 Mb, 13 min | 8 November 2020)

 

 


Today in the calendar: Gaura Chaturthi. Appearance of Om Vishnupad Srila Bhakti Pavan Janardan Maharaj.

His Divine Grace Om Vishnupad Srila B.N. Acharya Maharaj: "Even if you do not know anything about the Vaishnav mentioned in the calendar, you must still give them 'jay' on this day. We must always remember disappearance and appearance days of all Vaishnavs. If we can remember such personalities, such great souls, it will bring a great benefit to our spiritual life."

"We should always check the calendar, and when we see some dates mentioned there, even if we do not know anything about the Vaishnav or events mentioned there, we can at least give 'jay' to them—that also brings some good sukriti, some purification to us. Seeing the calendar and taking devotees' names early in the morning, from the beginning of the day, is very good for all devotees."


 

 

Thu, 26 January 2023 (Sri Vasanta Panchami)

Always Think about Hari-Katha
"Time is passing so fast. Time and tide wait for none. Today is passing, and when you go to sleep, you wake up to the next day. There cannot be forty-eight hours in a day. So, always think about Hari-katha."
Download / listen to the audio (42 Mb, 87 min | 16 February 2020)

 


Today in the calendar: Gaura Panchami. Sri Krishna Vasanta Panchami.
Appearance day of Srimati Vishnupriya Devi.
Appearance of Srila Pundarik Vidyanidhi Prabhu, Srila Raghunath Das Goswami and Srila Raghunandan Thakur.
Disappearance of Srila Visvanath Chakravarti Thakur.
Disappearance of Tridandi Swami Srimad Bhakti Vivek Bharati Maharaj and Tridandi Swami Srimad Bhakti Svarup Parvat Maharaj (both are diksa and sannyas disciples of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur). In Affectionate Guidance, Srila Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj notes: "I heard from Srila Guru Maharaj that when his Godbrother, Srimad Parvat Maharaj, was a young boy, he used to live in the house next door to Srila Bhaktivinod Thakur. He told us, 'In my young age, I heard every night from about 2 a.m. until the morning, Srila Bhaktivinod Thakur would chant the Mahamantra on his rooftop, but you could hear that his chanting was more like calling, a heartfelt call to his Lord.' So we must be serious about our chanting, and we must make obeisance to Guru and Vaishnava."
Sri Saraswati Puja.


 

In Honour of Sri Vasanta Panchami:

Holy Vasanta Panchami Day
"(1) Sri Pundarik Vidyanidhi Prabhu was the incarnation of King Vrisabhanu, and he is a great Vaishnav. (2) Nobody has been able to trace when Sri Vishnupriya Devi left this world. We have not heard it mentioned anywhere in the scriptures. We only know the avirbhav of Sri Vishnupriya Devi..."
Download / listen to the audio (4.2 Mb, 10 min | 14 February 2021)

For further reading: See the extensive chapter "A Holy Day" in the Sermons of the Guardian of Devotion, Volume II, by Om Vishnupad Srila B.R. Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj.

Sri Vishnupriya Devi:

Srila Pundarik Vidyanidhi: Srila Raghunath Das Goswami: Srila Raghunandan Thakur: Srila Visvanath Chakravarti Thakur: Sri Saraswati Puja:

 

Prayers to Sri Vaishnav Thakur:

SONG: Ei-bara karuna kara | এইবার করুণা কর
"O worshippable Vaisnava, be merciful to me this time. O saviour of the fallen, without you there is no one. In every birth I aspire for the dust of your feet."

SONG: Ohe Vaisnava Thakura | (ওহে) বৈষ্ণব ঠাকুর
"O worshippable Vaishnav, ocean of grace, be merciful to this servant. Give me the shade of your feet and purify me. I clasp your feet. You can give Krishna, you have that power. Calling, 'Krishna!' 'Krishna!', I run after you."

SONG: Ki-rupe paiba seva | কিরূপে পাইব সেবা
"I am so wicked, how will I ever get service? I do not have any attachment to Sri Guru and Vaishnavs! Prabhu, you see no fault in others, you are the saviour of the fallen. Please deliver Narottam this time!"

SONG: Dhana mora nityananda | ধন মোর নিত্যানন্দ
"The feet dust of the Vaishnavs is where I sport and take bath, Vaishnavs' name is the water oblation. My mind is intently fixed upon the remnants of Vaishnavs, and I am elated hearing the name of Vaishnavs."

SONG: Krpa kara Vaishnav Thakura | কৃপা কর বৈষ্ণব ঠাকুর
"O Vaishnav Thakur! Please be merciful! Knowing the true relationship I will worship You and my ego will go far away. If I think, 'I am a Vaishnav,' then I will never stop expecting honour from others—my heart will become polluted by the desire for fame and I will end up in hell."

Fri, 27 January 2023

Connection with the Transcendental
"If you can submit everything at the holy feet of Lord Govinda, you can attain everything. There is no other way. Otherwise, you can chant the Holy Name of the Lord so much, but does it produce any difference? Does anyone become transformed by chanting these Names?"
Download / listen to the audio (42 Mb, 87 min | 16 February 2020)

 

In honour of the forthcoming grand festival of Sriman Nityananda Prabhu's appearance day:

Eternal Bond with Sri Ekachakra Dham
"I know many cannot come this year because of the situation, what can I say? It makes me very sad, and I miss them, but I hope that they will celebrate this day in their own centres, at their own homes. Every house should make a programme on this day, that is our happiness because we cannot conceive of anything in our life without the mercy of Nityananda Prabhu."

 


23 February 2021
(First class at Sri Ekachakra Dham; Bengali evening class)


At Sri Ekachakra Dham: Evening Kirtans (Part One)
 Sri Guru-parampara  Gurudev bada krpa kara  Sri Krsna Chaitanya Prabhu daya kara
Download/listen to the audio (10.5 Mb, 25 min | Kirtan)

This Is Not a Playground
"You must come here surrendering your all—all your heart, soul, mind, everything—at the lotus feet of the Lord. We always blame the Lord for making us suffer, but we do not blame ourselves for not being able to surrender to the Lord. You blame the Lord, but have you become surrendered to the Lord? You must ask yourself this question."
Download / listen to the audio (2.3 Mb, 6 min | Bengali)

Wrong Worries
"You have no faith, that is why you have no devotion. Bhakti Devi always wants a clean place. Devotion (Bhakti Devi) does not stay where there is no faith—she runs away from such places. If you stuff the room with other things, then where will you seat your Thakur?"
Download / listen to the audio (1.5 Mb, 4 min | Bengali)

Pure Identity
"We must have jnana-sunya bhakti—'I do not know anything, I do not understand anything. O Lord, I am a low and fallen soul.' We must watch out that we do not get the ego that 'I have become a big Vaishnav!' What did Mahaprabhu say when describing His own identity?"
Download / listen to the audio (1.8 Mb, 5 min | Bengali)

Worshipful Devotion
"I will consider myself your slave, and I will leave all ego of guru. When Vaishnavs take prasadam, I will take the remnants of their prasadam. Such was Kalidas's character. How beautiful this is. Such are Nityananda Prabhu's associates."
Download / listen to the audio (2.1 Mb, 5 min | Bengali)

Meaning of Discipleship
"If you tell one word to the disciple, they get angry. They live as they please. We think that we sing a song and this is it, we have practised Krishna consciousness. No. Krishna consciousness means following what your Gurudev says and serving your Guru and Vaishnavs; it means to please them."
Download / listen to the audio (2.3 Mb, 6 min | Bengali)

Free Mercy, Exclusive Rights
"There is no one as merciful as Mahaprabhu is! To rescue such low and fallen souls as ourselves, He came to this world performing human pastimes. He went door to door calling out to everyone. But who has the right to chant kirtan?"
Download / listen to the audio (5.6 Mb, 15 min | Bengali)

Path of Devotion
"If I had not come to your house, you would not have come here today, you would not have got a chance to hear these holy talks, you would not have been able to get the mercy of Lord Nityananda Prabhu. That is why I roam the land, going house to house. This is all that I tell everyone: practise Krishna consciousness."
Download / listen to the audio (8.5 Mb, 21 min | Bengali)

Krishna Conscious Life
"We are alive in this world at the expense of killing so many jiva souls. The only way out of this kind of life is to turn your whole life into Krishna conscious life. It means that you will cook, you will work, you will do everything, but you will do it for the Lord."
Download / listen to the audio (0.9 Mb, 2 min | Bengali)

Sri Nityananda Prabhu's Glory (1)
"A low and fallen soul such as myself is not capable of glorifying Sri Nityananda Prabhu; however, if Gurudev and Nityananda Prabhu give their mercy and say something through my mouth, then only can it be possible."
Download / listen to the audio (1.4 Mb, 4 min | Bengali)

Sri Nityananda Prabhu's Glory (2)
"Many worship Gauranga bypassing the Guru, but Nityananda Prabhu said that this was thievery. It is impossible to get mercy without Nityananda Prabhu. We have not got there yet; we do what our minds wants. Gurudev gave me initiation, so this body is now his—I will do whatever Gurudev wants me to do."
Download / listen to the audio (3 Mb, 7 min | Bengali)

Sri Nityananda Prabhu's Glory (3)
"Apart from Srila Raghunath Das Goswami, there were other great personalities who received Sri Nityananda Prabhu's mercy. Two of them are Srila Krishna Das Kaviraj Goswami and Srila Vrindavan Das Thakur. You know that Srila Vrindavan Das Thakur was the son of Narayani, Srivas Pandit Prabhu's niece..."
Download / listen to the audio (2.3 Mb, 6 min | Bengali)

Sri Nityananda Prabhu's Glory (4)
"Another person who received Sri Nityananda Prabhu's mercy was Srila Krishna Das Kaviraj Goswami. Srila Krishna Das Kaviraj Goswami said that there were only three persons in this world who knew Mahaprabhu, but Gurudev said that there was one more person. Who is it? Srila Krishna Das Kaviraj Goswami himself."
Download / listen to the audio (7 Mb, 17 min | Bengali)

Clean Mood
"Always chant the Holy Name—when you are eating, when you are sleeping. Always keep your heart and mood clean. If we practise Krishna consciousness with proper decorum, then our ego will be removed."
Download / listen to the audio (5.6 Mb, 14 min | Bengali)

Sat, 28 January 2023 (Appearance of Sri Advaita Acharya Prabhu)

Inane Interests
"The problem is that we live in this world, but we cannot understand anything. People are always busy with prajalpa (idle talks, gossips) and gramya-katha (village talks), all the time talking about this, about that. We must instead think, 'How can I find the Lord?'"
Download / listen to the audio (42 Mb, 87 min | 16 February 2020)

 

In honour of the forthcoming grand festival of Sriman Nityananda Prabhu's appearance day:

 


24 February 2021
(Lord Varahadev's Appearance; Bengali morning class at Sri Ekachakra Dham)


At Sri Ekachakra Dham: Morning Kirtans (Part One)
 Sri Dasavatara Stotram  Gaya Gaura madhur svare  Hare Krishna maha-mantra.
Download/listen to the audio (6 Mb, 15 min | Kirtan)

Clear Your Path
"It is necessary to always chant Krishna-kirtan. You are worrying about your money, food, clothes, gossips at every moment passing your whole life like that. It is necessary to control the six urges, it is necessary to correct six defects in yourself, and it is necessary to keep good association. Keep enthusiasm for Hari-katha, for the Lord's service. If you do not read about it, if you do not follow it, you will not get any result."
Download / listen to the audio (1.6 Mb, 4 min | Bengali)

Nurture Exclusive Desire
"Can you control all these senses? How is it possible to do it? If senses become very strong and we feel too much lust, anger, greed, illusion, etc., we will be removed from Krishna consciousness. There is ananya-abhilas (exclusive desire) and there is anya-abhilas (other desires)..."
Download / listen to the audio (1.7 Mb, 4 min | Bengali)

Sri Ekachakra Dham: Our Fortune To Be Here
"We have come here by a great fortune. If you only think about the dust of this holy dham, then you will think that you must circumambulate this holy abode walking on your head. The Lord Himself wandered in this land. Nityananda Prabhu is non-different from Mahaprabhu, the Lord Himself."
Download / listen to the audio (1.3 Mb, 3 min | Bengali)

Forging Your Destiny
"Not everybody comes to practise Krishna consciousness. Some come to goggle, some come for entertainment. There are different kinds of desires. Everybody does not have the same desires. That is why, we cannot bring everyone to this path. Those who have such fortune, who are destined to come, they come."
Download / listen to the audio (2.2 Mb, 6 min | Bengali)

Extreme Mercy
"Krishna is so merciful, but Gaura is even more merciful than Him.Gauranga Mahaprabhu and Sri Nityananda Prabhu distributed Krishna-prema without any price! They gave Krishna-prema to the entire world. This is so beautiful."
Download / listen to the audio (0.6 Mb, 2 min | Bengali)

About Nityananda Prabhu
"Srila Krishna Das Kaviraj Goswami says that Nityananda Prabhu's glory is unlimited; if you get a slightest touch of His mercy, you will understand His glory. Nityananda Prabhu freely scattered His mercy to all fallen souls. The Lord came to this world to deliver all fallen souls."
Download / listen to the audio (8.2 Mb, 20 min | Bengali)

 


Today in the calendar: Gaura Saptami. Appearance of Mahavishnu Avatar, Sri Advaita Acharya Prabhu.

His Divine Grace Om Vishnupad Srila B.N. Acharya Maharaj: "Even if you do not know anything about the Vaishnav mentioned in the calendar, you must still give them 'jay' on this day. We must always remember disappearance and appearance days of all Vaishnavs. If we can remember such personalities, such great souls, it will bring a great benefit to our spiritual life."

"We should always check the calendar, and when we see some dates mentioned there, even if we do not know anything about the Vaishnav or events mentioned there, we can at least give 'jay' to them—that also brings some good sukriti, some purification to us. Seeing the calendar and taking devotees' names early in the morning, from the beginning of the day, is very good for all devotees."


 

In glorification of Sri Advaita Acharya Prabhu:

Sri Advaita Acharya Bhavan
[From Sri Nabadwip Dham Mahatmya-Mukta-Mala, page 120; 75 Mb]
An extensive article in glorification of Sri Advaita Acharya Prabhu: "Sri Advaita Acharya Prabhu is the main trunk of the wish-fulfilling tree of devotion. He has two other names, Mangal and Kamalaksa. After his parents departed, he went to Sri Vrindavan, becoming immersed in the worship of Lord Krishna. Later, he returned to Santipur, and his manifestation (his glory) became known in Nabadwip."

Mad Nimai Pandita [From the Golden Volcano of Divine Love]
"Advaita Acarya was a great scholar and the most senior among Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu's followers. He appeared in Navagrama in Sri Hatta, in the eastern province of Bengal, and resided in Santipura..."

Love for Guru, Not Yourself
"To test Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, Srila Advaita Prabhu one time started preaching mayavadi conception, and Mahaprabhu came to his house and beat him. Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu explained the glory of Sri Advaita Prabhu...."
Download / listen to the audio (3 Mb, 7 min | 14 June 2020)

The Eyes to See, the Heart to Feel
"In Mahaprabhu's time, Advaita Prabhu had a son called Achyutananda. One day, when Mahaprabhu came to Advaita Prabhu's house, Achyutananda asked his father..."
Download / listen to the audio (2 Mb, 6 min | 18 June 2010)

Sun, 29 January 2023

Bhakta-Vatsala Krishna
"If the Lord catches somebody, He does not leave them. But it is necessary to become fit for being caught. Gurudev has given us the Holy Name, but can we keep this Holy Name? Our hearts are full of ego, lust, anger, greed, illusion, madness, envy, jealousy. What Gurudev gives can never stay in such a place."
Download / listen to the audio (42 Mb, 87 min | 16 February 2020)

 

In honour of the forthcoming grand festival of Sriman Nityananda Prabhu's appearance day:

 


24 February 2021
(Lord Varahadev's Appearance; Bengali evening class at Sri Ekachakra Dham)


Sri Ekachakra Temple
"It was Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur's desire to establish a temple in Sri Ekachakra Dham, but he did not live a long life—he only stayed in this world for sixty-four years—and he did not live to fulfil his desire. Yet by his mercy, by the mercy of Param Gurudev and by Gurudev's desire, we managed to acquire this land here in 2008."
Download / listen to the audio (4.6 Mb, 11 min | Bengali)

Parental Sacrifice
"Nityananda Prabhu's parents could not let the sannyasi go empty-handed, so they agreed to give him whatever he would ask for. However, the sannyasi asked for their only son, Nityananda Prabhu. They made such a great sacrifice in their life!"
Download / listen to the audio (1.5 Mb, 4 min | Bengali)

Full Service Sway
"Balaram (Nitai) arranges to appear as the elder brother to be able to serve the Lord. This is the glory of Sri Nityananda Prabhu. Nityananda Prabhu is hidden and extremely esoteric. We actually have no quality or qualification to speak about His glory."
Download / listen to the audio (1.9 Mb, 5 min | Bengali)

Life in Kirtan
"You have your mouth, but one will not hear the Holy Name coming out of it, only other talks come out of it. That is why, I always keep on telling you about Mahaprabhu's advice to Srila Raghunath Das Goswami Prabhu..."
Download / listen to the audio (1.4 Mb, 4 min | Bengali)

Please Give These Alms
"Our consciousness is covered by illusory environment, but Gurudev and Vaishnavs mercifully give us an opportunity to hear and speak about the Lord. I am asking you to give your mind, body, heart, everything at the holy feet of the Lord as alms for one-two hours. One day you will understand the benefit..."
Download / listen to the audio (2.2 Mb, 5 min | Bengali)

Remembering Glories of Sri Nityananda Prabhu
"This Sri Ekachakra Dham is a pure land. Sri Jagannath, Baladev, and Subhadra are also here. There is also Radha Kunda and Shyama Kunda here. Here is also Sri Ekachakleswar Sivji Maharaj.Here is also Kadam Khandi..."
Download / listen to the audio (2.8 Mb, 7 min | Bengali)

Sri Sivananda Sen's Mercy
"Sivananda Sen's house is in Kulingram. Mahaprabhu said, 'I love Kulingram devotees so much. I love even the dogs from Kulingram! I love even the parrots from Kulingram for they chant the Holy Name of Krishna!' It is near Jogram station. I have been to that place a few times when I was doing collection..."
Download / listen to the audio (3.1 Mb, 8 min | Bengali)

Sri Nityananda Prabhu's Eccentricity
"When Mahaprabhu took sannyas, He first came to Sri Advaita Acharya Prabhu's house, and from there He was going to go to Vrindavan. However, He changed His mind and finally went to Puri. On the way to Puri, Sri Nityananda Prabhu contrived a plan...."
Download / listen to the audio (1.3 Mb, 3 min | Bengali)

Srila Krishna Das Kaviraj Goswami's Gratitude
"Srila Krishna Das Kaviraj Goswami writes, 'I have got Sri Vrindavan Dham by the mercy of Sri Nityananda Prabhu. He ordered me to Vrindavan saying I would get all possible benefit there. When I came there, I attained the mercy of Mahaprabhu's dearmost devotees.'"
Download / listen to the audio (1.8 Mb, 5 min | Bengali)

Unblemished Nitai
"If Nityananda Prabhu had not come, we would not have known anything about the transcendental pastimes of Sriman Mahaprabhu. Fire can remove all impurities, but fire is not affected by that. In the same way, even if Nityananda Prabhu transgresses the religion of a sannyasi, He has no fault. He is higher than any rules and regulations."
Download / listen to the audio (2.4 Mb, 6 min | Bengali)

Sri Nityananda's Supreme Mercy
"Sri Nityananda Prabhu is my only hope. He is supremely magnanimous, He is merciful, and it is easy for us to receive His mercy. Sri Gaura Hari cannot reject somebody who has been approved by Sri Nityananda Prabhu..."
Download / listen to the audio (1 Mb, 3 min | Bengali)

Our Only Wealth and Shelter
"I am telling you that He is the greatest and most qualified personality on this path of devotion, and if we throw ourselves at His holy feet, our life will be successful. Our only wealth in spiritual life is to surrender everything and take exclusive shelter at the holy lotus feet of Sri Nityananda and Gurudev, who is non-different from Him."
Download / listen to the audio (1.8 Mb, 5 min | Bengali)

Mahaprabhu's Private Order
"One day, when They were in Sri Puri Dham, Mahaprabhu called Nityananda and spoke to Him privately. In those days, it was not possible for a sannyasi to mix with public closely, there were many rules and regulations for renounced persons. However, Sriman Mahaprabhu wanted the Holy Name to be preached in every corner of the world..."
Download / listen to the audio (1.1 Mb, 3 min | Bengali)

Nityananda Prabhu's Campaign
"Such was Sri Nityananda Prabhu's enthusiasm. From the beginning, He raised the banner of rescuing the fallen souls of this world and cleared the path for them to become attracted to the holy lotus feet of Sriman Mahaprabhu."
Download / listen to the audio (2.4 Mb, 7 min | Bengali)

Humility and Deep Faith
"We must always be humble. I have told you before: the higher a Vaishnav is, the more humility they have. Those who understand what Nabadwip Dham is, who have deep internal faith live in the land of Vraja."
Download / listen to the audio (2.7 Mb, 7 min | Bengali)

Save Yourself
"When will Sri Nityananda Prabhu give His mercy to me? When will I be free from material illusion? How can I save myself from this ocean of material existence? You must practise Krishna consciousness giving up all bad practices and embracing Krishna's family. You are uselessly wasting your time..."
Download / listen to the audio (10.5 Mb, 25 min | Bengali)

 


Today in the calendar: Gaura Ashtami. Disappearance of Sripad Virendra Krishna Prabhu.

His Divine Grace Om Vishnupad Srila B.N. Acharya Maharaj: "Even if you do not know anything about the Vaishnav mentioned in the calendar, you must still give them 'jay' on this day. We must always remember disappearance and appearance days of all Vaishnavs. If we can remember such personalities, such great souls, it will bring a great benefit to our spiritual life."

"We should always check the calendar, and when we see some dates mentioned there, even if we do not know anything about the Vaishnav or events mentioned there, we can at least give 'jay' to them—that also brings some good sukriti, some purification to us. Seeing the calendar and taking devotees' names early in the morning, from the beginning of the day, is very good for all devotees."


 

Mon, 30 January 2023

Become Pure Servant
"Do you think you can get the Lord by doing 'namah', 'namah' or by going to the temple in the evening and offering some flowers and incense? You must serve the Lord in various ways. Only putting a garland on His neck and offering some flowers and incense is not all that there is to the service of the Lord. Do not be like this."
Download / listen to the audio (42 Mb, 87 min | 16 February 2020)

 


Today in the calendar: Gaura Navami. Disappearance of Srila Madhva Acharya.

His Divine Grace Om Vishnupad Srila B.N. Acharya Maharaj: "Even if you do not know anything about the Vaishnav mentioned in the calendar, you must still give them 'jay' on this day. We must always remember disappearance and appearance days of all Vaishnavs. If we can remember such personalities, such great souls, it will bring a great benefit to our spiritual life."

"We should always check the calendar, and when we see some dates mentioned there, even if we do not know anything about the Vaishnav or events mentioned there, we can at least give 'jay' to them—that also brings some good sukriti, some purification to us. Seeing the calendar and taking devotees' names early in the morning, from the beginning of the day, is very good for all devotees."


 

In honour of Srila Madhva Acharya:

"Madhva Acharya also stayed here with his disciples for some time as a resident of the Nabadwip Dham. Gauranga-sundar mercifully revealed His most enchanting form to Madhva Acharya in a dream. Smiling, Gaurachandra said to Madhva Acharya, 'Everyone knows that you are My eternal servant. When I appear in Nabadwip, I will follow your lineage. Now, carefully eradicate illusionism and false scriptures from all regions, and establish the glory of the Lord's Deity form. Later, I will develop your pure conception.' Saying this, Gaurachandra disappeared. Madhva Acharya awoke and then fainted. Madhva Acharya then cried, wondering, 'Will I ever see that beautiful golden form again?' Then a divine voice came from the clear sky, 'Serve Me secretly, and you will come to Me.' Madhva Acharya became resolute and defeated the mayavadis in all directions."

Sri Nabadwip Dham Mahatmya, Chapter 15

 

Foundation of Surrender
"It is a very auspicious day today—the holy appearance day of Sri Madhvacharya, also today is vijaya maha-mahotsav of Lord Ramachandra. It is a very auspicious day, and we are getting some chance to speak some Hari-katha, to practise sravanam, kirtanam."
Download / listen to the audio (3 Mb, 9 min)

 

In honour of the forthcoming grand festival of Sriman Nityananda Prabhu's appearance day:

 


25 February 2021
(Sriman Nityananda Prabhu's Appearance Day; morning Bengali class)


Supremely Worshippable Day
"Today is the holy appearance day of Sriman Nityananda Prabhu—He without whose mercy this world is plunged into darkness, He without whose mercy we do not see and will never see any light, He without whose mercy the door of Goloka Vrindavan will never open for us, He without whose mercy we can never save ourselves from this illusory environment."
Download / listen to the audio (3.1 Mb, 8 min | Bengali)

Do Not Pass Your Life in Vain
"Each of you lives in a house—you are all proud of the place where you stay and call it 'home'—you live comfortably; but you come here and struggle so much. If you want this struggle to be worth it, you must take advantage of Hari-katha and kirtan."
Download / listen to the audio (1.6 Mb, 4 min | Bengali)

Cleanliness Is Next to Godliness
"You can see how you make your own bed—every day you first dust and clean it nicely, then you lie down. You must treat the Lord, the Deities like that too. The archan of the Deities means to keep the Deities' room clean. It is necessary to keep everything clean. Temple must be always clean and neat."
Download / listen to the audio (1.5 Mb, 4 min | Bengali)

Meaning of Discipleship
"You live at your house and you know how you serve your husband, wife, and children. In the same way, you must love the Lord with your heart and soul; you must love the Lord's temple with your heart and soul."
Download / listen to the audio (1.8 Mb, 5 min | Bengali)

Ask Yourself, "Am I Practising?"
"You must ask yourself, 'Have I become a surrendered soul?' I do not come to examine or test you, but you should ask yourself, 'Am I really practising Krishna consciousness? Do I live following what my Guru tells? Do I live in strict adherence to my Guru or not?'"
Download / listen to the audio (1.8 Mb, 5 min | Bengali)

Become Pure
"You must prepare yourself so that the Lord could accept you. If you do not clean yourself, do not make yourself pure, the Lord will not accept you. You do not become pure just by bathing in the Ganges. Your heart must become clean."
Download / listen to the audio (10 Mb, 24 min | Bengali)

Who Is Nityananda Prabhu?
"There is Gaurasundar, the original personality of Godhead, and there is also His personal expansion, Sri Nityananda Prabhu. So, Sri Nityananda Prabhu is Sriman Mahaprabhu's dearmost associate and the Lord Himself."
Download / listen to the audio (2.1 Mb, 5 min | Bengali)

How and When?
"When will my mind become pure and I behold Sri Dham Vrindavan? When will material desires leave me? There is meditation, knowledge, etc. in this world, but when will I leave all material things, when will my mind become pure and when will I be able to feel, see, know, etc. the wealth of Vaikuntha world?"
Download / listen to the audio (1.7 Mb, 4 min | Bengali)

Scattered Heart
"Just as an ant always crawls everywhere looking for a hole, Maya is also always around us, always looking for hole to catch you. As soon as you forget the Lord and think about something else, Maya will jump on you."
Download / listen to the audio (0.9 Mb, 2 min | Bengali)

Learn the Truth
"It is necessary to know what the truth is. Everything in this world that you see is false; the Holy Name is the only truth. Everything else that is created will go away. It is said in Srimad Bhagavad-gita also that everything in this world will be destroyed one day."
Download / listen to the audio (1 Mb, 3 min | Bengali)

What Do You Need?
"Those who desire the highest benefit need only one thing—the shelter of Sri Nabadwip Dham; their duty is to take shelter at the holy lotus feet Sri Gaura Nityananda; their duty is to serve Their Name, holy dham, and desire."
Download / listen to the audio (2 Mb, 5 min | Bengali)

Tue, 31 January 2023 (Tomorrow is Sri Bhaimi Ekadasi)

Come to Worship the Lord
"Come here. I want people to practise Krishna consciousness, to serve and worship the Lord. Do not come with material desires. 'Grhe thako, vane thako, sada Hari bole dako: whether you stay in a house or in a forest, always call out to the Lord.'"
Download / listen to the audio (42 Mb, 87 min | 16 February 2020)

 


Today in the calendar: Gaura Dashami. Disappearance of Srila Ramanuja Acharya.

His Divine Grace Om Vishnupad Srila B.N. Acharya Maharaj: "Even if you do not know anything about the Vaishnav mentioned in the calendar, you must still give them 'jay' on this day. We must always remember disappearance and appearance days of all Vaishnavs. If we can remember such personalities, such great souls, it will bring a great benefit to our spiritual life."

"We should always check the calendar, and when we see some dates mentioned there, even if we do not know anything about the Vaishnav or events mentioned there, we can at least give 'jay' to them—that also brings some good sukriti, some purification to us. Seeing the calendar and taking devotees' names early in the morning, from the beginning of the day, is very good for all devotees."


 

In honour of Srila Ramanuja Acharya:

Service: Faith and Surrender
"Gurudev told the story of Dhanur Das and his wife, Ramanuja Acharya's disciples, and how they maintained their family life..."

How to See the Guru: Chastity
"Ramanuja Acharya heard there was a Guru in Alwar (South India). He came to that Guru and asked, 'You know one mantra that can give liberation. I want to get this mantra...'"

Odds and Ends: Ramanuja Acharya's bed
"One time Ramanuja Acharya he went to Tirupati and stayed one month at one ashram there. He had a good servitor called Govinda who always served him..."

 

In honour of the forthcoming grand festival of Sriman Nityananda Prabhu's appearance day:

 


25 February 2021
(Sriman Nityananda Prabhu's Appearance Day; noon Bengali class)


Sri Advaita Prabhu's Nityananda Stuti
"One day, Nityananda Prabhu came to have a meal in Sri Advaita Prabhu's house... Mahaprabhu saw them and laughed thinking, 'Maha Vishnu and the Lord have met, and They are having a fight!'"
Download / listen to the audio (7.4 Mb, 18 min | Bengali & Kirtan)

Sriman Mahaprabhu's Nityananda Stuti
"When Sriman Mahaprabhu was in Panihati, He sang in praise of Sri Nityananda Prabhu. Mahaprabhu says, 'Those have faith for Nityananda Prabhu, actually have faith in Me. You can never get Me without faith in Nityananda Prabhu.'"
Download / listen to the audio (7.4 Mb, 18 min | Bengali & Kirtan)

Approaching Nityananda Prabhu
"Srila Krishna Das Kaviraj Goswami says, 'I am not fit to speak about Nityananda Prabhu's glory, which are as sacred as the topics of the Vedas, but I am speaking about it to reveal His mercy to the world. If there is any fault in what I say, please forgive my offence.'"
Download / listen to the audio (1.8 Mb, 5 min | Bengali)

Know Your Place
"Those who have the right to do something, they can do it. Many imitate Nityananda Prabhu and take two wives, for example. Those who have the right can do that, they can eat everything, but you do not have this right to cross the viddhi-marga. That is why we do not eat anything and everything without discrimination..."
Download / listen to the audio (1.4 Mb, 4 min | Bengali)

Amidst 'Dal' and 'Gal'
"People want very good quality ghee and good quality of rice. They say, 'Oh, I do not want to live at the temple! I would rather stay at home and eat nice ghee and nice rice!' Our life is not eternal: we will have to leave one day; but we are all eternal servants of Krishna, and not for two-three or four days only. No. We are eternal servants."
Download / listen to the audio (2.1 Mb, 5 min | Bengali)

Increase Your Fortune
"We have to leave this world, but how much have you chanted the Holy Name? How much have you listened to Hari-katha? You will have to answer these questions. You have come to this holy abode of Nityananda Prabhu by a great fortune."
Download / listen to the audio (6.2 Mb, 15 min | Bengali & Kirtan)

 

 

 

 

 · · • • • · ·

 

 

◄ DECEMBER 2022 FEBRUARY 2023 ►

 JULY
 AUGUST
 SEPTEMBER
 OCTOBER
 NOVEMBER
 DECEMBER

2023

 JANUARY
 FEBRUARY
 MARCH
 APRIL
 MAY
 JUNE
 JULY
 AUGUST
 SEPTEMBER
 OCTOBER
 NOVEMBER
 DECEMBER

 

 


 

OFFLINE READING, ePub:
(All lectures of His Divine Grace Om Visnupad Srila Bhakti Nirmal Acharya Maharaj posted here on the website)
Issue #1 (31 Dec '14)
Issue #2 (2015/1)
Issue #3 (2015/2)
Issue #4 (2015/3)
Issue #5 (2015/4)
Issue #6 (2016/1)
Issue #7 (2016/2)
Issue #8 (2016/3)
Issue #9 (2016/4)
Issue #10 (2017/1)
Issue #11 (2017/2)
Issue #12 (2017/3)
Issue #13 (2017/4)
Issue #14 (2018/1)
Issue #15 (2018/2)
Issue #16 (2018/3)
Issue #17 (2018/4)
Issue #18 (2019/1)
Issue #19 (2019/2)
Issue #20 (2019/3)
Issue #21 (2019/4)
Issue #22 (2020/1)
Issue #23 (2020/2)
Issue #24 (2020/3)
Issue #25 (2020/4)
Issue #26 (2021/1)
Issue #27 (2021/2)
Issue #28 (2021/3)
Issue #29 (2021/4)
Issue #30 (2022/1)

 


 

Chanting: Maha-Mantra and Bhajans
'A girl came to me yesterday and argued with me: Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math follows mostly Guru, and Iskcon follows mostly Krishna; we chant so many bhajans, and they mostly chant Hare Krishna maha-mantra. I told her..'

 

Sri Sri Prema-Vivarta
“Chant 'Gauranga' and associate with Gaura's devotees. Chant 'Hare Krishna' and dance.”

Chanting, chanting, and taking prasadam, then the tongue will be level and Krishna Nam will dance on your tongue.

"HUMILITY, TOLERANCE, GIVING HONOUR TO OTHERS | HUMILITY, TOLERANCE, GIVING HONOUR TO OTHERS"